Partnership: Deep Springs International (DSI) is working around the clock to respond to the devastating earthquake by creating access to clean water. Water, food, sanitation and medical care, are some of the most important essentials to address in the next few weeks as survivors seek to heal hearts and bodies. Deep Springs recognizes the critical need for partnership and organization between entities rushing to the scene. For this reason we are working with UNICEF, PSI (Population Service International) and Klorfasil to provide a solution to the need for safe water. Michael Ritter, DSI’s President and in-country director, has taken the lead for household water treatment technologies among these organizations, concentrating on areas surrounding Port-au-Prince.

Actions: Deep Springs has been acknowledged as part of the WASH Cluster, a WAter, Sanitation and Hygiene effort led by UNICEF which responds to disasters such as the earthquake with life giving solutions. Through the WASH Cluster, DSI has applied for funding through a Flash Appeal to serve 20,000 families (~100,000 people) with DSI water systems (modified 5-gallon bucket and Gadyen Dlo, a water disinfectant). This appeal gives organizations working on the ground today a chance to receive immediate and significant funding to bring in supplies and serve people in desperate need.
DSI has also appealed for donations of 5-gallon buckets and lids, bottles, spigots, and labels for the DSI systems to companies and our contact lists. In Haiti Deep Springs has commissioned its Gadyen Dlo production sites, such as Jolivert, to ramp up production of our liquid chlorine product. At least 4 drums (55 gallons each) are currently available for use with the bucket systems. We are focusing our efforts on the suburbs and rural areas surrounding Port-au-Prince due to the increased need for a potable water source and the influx of Haitians fleeing the city.

Tangibles:
DSI has received an overwhelming response in the form of monetary and tangible donations. LANXESS, an international specialty chemicals company, has donated an air shipment of Aquatabs, a solid chlorine product, to be flown into Haiti from Ireland. Aquatabs are compatible with the DSI systems. A Port-au-Prince bucket factory which is operational has agreed to supply 10,000 buckets for Deep Springs at a rate of 3,000 per day starting Monday, January 18th. Arrangements have been made for 10,000 spigots, bottles and labels and shipment to Haiti.

Needs:
Though we have received many generous donations, Deep Springs will need your ongoing support to be able to serve those affected by the earthquake today, tomorrow, and for the coming years. Specifically we ask for monetary donations to fill in the gaps and provide for needs such as shipping costs, additional bucket systems and training costs.

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